[gmsolomon]

I'm in the West Palm Beach tv market.

Directv left me a computerized telephone message that I should swap (free) for the upgraded HD DVR (presumably the HR20 or HR21) because "we are changing the way we broadcast high definition.....and you will need this new technology to receive ESPN, HBO, etc. in High Definition."

My concern on trading in (swapping) my HR10-250 for an HR21 is that I'm afraid the new AM21 companion tuner might not allow me to tune in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale stations as a "secondary" market.

From reading various threads and posts I hear people *****ing that you can't "scan for channels" on the AM21...I just want to know if it can at least show both primary market and secondary market atsc channels and both list them in the guide, and record and play them back....(same as satellite channels).

Directv can't answer this "secondary market" question for me definitively.

I understand that Directv could send me an HR20 which has an OTA tuner, but I also hear thru the grapevine that most of the swaps will be for the HR21 that do not have the OTA tuner (unless you add the AM21)

I have a few days--the free swap offer ends 7/31....

 

[EricJRW]

My understanding is that after doing the initial setup, by zip code, you have the option to enter a second zip code to populate your guide with additional channels from adjacent markets. Once fully populated, you can then edit the list.

I only needed to enter one zip, so I've never done the second zip thing, but that is what I have read in these forums.

With the AM21, you are adding two ATSC tuners that can be recorded just like any other channels... You still can only record 2 channels max (sat, ATSC, or combination).

 

[AreBee]

Yes you can receive secondary market locals. The AM21 setup is much like the HR20 OTA set up as it allows you to put in 2 zips. I have Hartford/New Haven, CT as my primary and Springfield, MA as a secondary.

 

[gmsolomon]

thanks for your reply....to confirm, you are able to see program information in the guide for both markets, and can "one-touch" record and playback from both markets? Thanks again...

 

[mickat]

I'm in the West Palm Beach tv market.

Directv left me a computerized telephone message that I should swap (free) for the upgraded HD DVR (presumably the HR20 or HR21) because "we are changing the way we broadcast high definition.....and you will need this new technology to receive ESPN, HBO, etc. in High Definition."

My concern on trading in (swapping) my HR10-250 for an HR21 is that I'm afraid the new AM21 companion tuner might not allow me to tune in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale stations as a "secondary" market.

From reading various threads and posts I hear people *****ing that you can't "scan for channels" on the AM21...I just want to know if it can at least show both primary market and secondary market atsc channels and both list them in the guide, and record and play them back....(same as satellite channels).

Directv can't answer this "secondary market" question for me definitively.

I understand that Directv could send me an HR20 which has an OTA tuner, but I also hear thru the grapevine that most of the swaps will be for the HR21 that do not have the OTA tuner (unless you add the AM21)

I have a few days--the free swap offer ends 7/31....

I live in Boca and have 3 HR20's and I get both markets. I do not know about the AM21. I would think it would be the same menu setup as the HR20's, it ask for a zip code for both your primary and secondary markets. I used 33487 for Boca and 33301 for Miami/FL and it listed all the channels and sub channels. Maybe some one in this area has a AM21 and can tell you for sure.

 

[Michael D'Angelo]

:welcome_s to DBSTalk, gmsolomon!

As posted above you can receive and record two different market with the AM21.

Once you set up the first market it will ask you if you would like to add a 2nd market. All you have to do is put in a zip code that is in that market and it will set everything up for you.

I am doing it with Baltimore and Washington D.C. both.

 

[bobnielsen]

Secondary markets?? I can only receive half of the stations in my own DMA (which is pretty large and somewhat mountainous) and I suspect there are large portions of the DMA where no OTA reception is possible.

 

[bobnielsen]

I live in Boca and have 3 HR20's and I get both markets. I do not know about the AM21. I would think it would be the same menu setup as the HR20's, it ask for a zip code for both your primary and secondary markets. I used 33487 for Boca and 33301 for Miami/FL and it listed all the channels and sub channels. Maybe some one in this area has a AM21 and can tell you for sure.

HR21 + AM21 is set up exactly the same as HR20.

 

[texasbrit]

Yes, the AM21 with the HR21 works the same as the HR20 when it comes to OTA. The OTA software even has the same bugs.....

 

[RunnerFL]

I get both West Palm Beach and Miami/Lauderdale locals just fine via my AM21.

 

[gmsolomon]

Good to hear! I have heard enough to go ahead and order. Any tips on getting a free AM21 (if they do send me the HR21) would be appreciated!

 

[RunnerFL]

Good to hear! I have heard enough to go ahead and order. Any tips on getting a free AM21 (if they do send me the HR21) would be appreciated!

Call up Customer Service and politely explain to them that you had OTA with your HR10-250 and you need OTA for your HR21. That seems to work for most.

 

[merchione]

Good to hear! I have heard enough to go ahead and order. Any tips on getting a free AM21 (if they do send me the HR21) would be appreciated!

:welcome_s I tried for 4 times calling and asking for it for free at least a discount..all i got was 5.00 off for 3 months which is not bad..so its like I got it for 35.00.

 

[gio12]

I'm in the West Palm Beach tv market.

Directv left me a computerized telephone message that I should swap (free) for the upgraded HD DVR (presumably the HR20 or HR21) because "we are changing the way we broadcast high definition.....and you will need this new technology to receive ESPN, HBO, etc. in High Definition."

My concern on trading in (swapping) my HR10-250 for an HR21 is that I'm afraid the new AM21 companion tuner might not allow me to tune in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale stations as a "secondary" market.

From reading various threads and posts I hear people *****ing that you can't "scan for channels" on the AM21...I just want to know if it can at least show both primary market and secondary market atsc channels and both list them in the guide, and record and play them back....(same as satellite channels).

Directv can't answer this "secondary market" question for me definitively.

I understand that Directv could send me an HR20 which has an OTA tuner, but I also hear thru the grapevine that most of the swaps will be for the HR21 that do not have the OTA tuner (unless you add the AM21)

I have a few days--the free swap offer ends 7/31....

Just tell them you need OTA capabilities and prefer the HR20. It's one less box.

 

[freerein100]

I have an HR20-700 and the OTA tuner does not see all the available atsc channels it should see. For example, it sees only 1 PBS Digital channel when my tv gets all three

 

[RunnerFL]

I have an HR20-700 and the OTA tuner does not see all the available atsc channels it should see. For example, it sees only 1 PBS Digital channel when my tv gets all three

That's because your PBS station hasn't provided Tribune with guide data for them.

The HR2X's don't scan for channels. They only see what channels are listed in the guide data from Tribune.

 

[EricJRW]

I managed my AM21 for $27 (The CSR offered to "split the difference" with me, so it was half off).